Category: David Njoku

Browns officially activate TE David Njoku from injured reserve

The Browns also elevated DL Joey Ivie from the practice squad for Week 5

Kevin Stefanski proved a man of his word, and quickly. On Friday, Stefanski stated that the team was set to activate tight end David Njoku from injured reserve before Sunday’s game. On Saturday, the Browns officially followed through on Stefanski’s proclamation.

Njoku will be eligible to play on Sunday against the visiting Indianapolis Colts. He has missed the last three games.

In addition to activating Njoku, the Browns elevated defensive lineman Joey Ivie up from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. He will revert back to the practice squad after the game.

Ivie can help provide depth with starting DT Larry Ogunjobi out and DE Adrian Clayborn questionable.

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TE David Njoku designated for return from I.R.

The Browns have 21 days to fully activate Njoku off I.R.

The Cleveland Browns have designated tight end David Njoku for return from the injured reserve list.

It’s a formality but a necessary one for Njoku to return to the Browns active roster. The team has 21 days to decide to activate Njoku, during which time he is able to practice and attend all team meetings and training functions.

Njoku has been on I.R. since after Week 1, a game where he played quite well (50 receiving yards, 1 TD). He injured his knee in the loss to Baltimore. The injury did not require surgery.

He would be the first Browns player to return from I.R. under the new rules implemented for 2020. Players can return after just three weeks and there is no limit to the number of players who can return from the injured list.

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Browns place TE David Njoku on I.R.

Browns place TE David Njoku on I.R.

After a brutal loss in Baltimore on Sunday, the hits keep coming to the Cleveland Browns. The team announced it has placed right end David Njoku on injured reserve.

Njoku played just 17 snaps in the loss to the Ravens before leaving the game with a knee injury. He played well, scoring the team’s only touchdown in the process of catching all three passes thrown his direction.

The team does have depth at right end with Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and Stephen Carlson already on the 53-man roster.

The Browns also made it official in signing kicker Cody Parley to the active roster to take Njoku’s spot.

Studs and Duds for the Browns from Week 1

Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season is finally in the books and if you are a Cleveland Browns fan it was like every Week 1 in years past.

Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season is finally in the books. If you are a Cleveland Browns fan it was like every Week 1 of years past, with our beloved Browns getting blown out. The Lamar Jackson-led Ravens dismantled Cleveland to a tune of 38-6 in Kevin Stefanski’s coaching debut.

Studs

Nick Chubb: Kareem Hunt was actually the leading rusher with 13 carries for 72 yards, but Chubb ran with more authority and was clearly robbed of opportunities with only 10 carries for 60 yards. The Browns were never in a position to win this contest, but had Chubb gotten more carries, perhaps the bleeding could have been slowed.

David Njoku: Writing this puts a smile on my face. Njoku has taken over the role of the most polarizing player on the Browns roster with half of the fan base screaming for him to be traded. The fact is Njoku is good and he proved that against Baltimore. Njoku was the second-leading Browns receiver with three receptions for 50 yards and the only touchdown.

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Tavierre Thomas: The first sack of the season goes to none other than defensive back, Tavierre Thomas. He is not an All-Pro caliber player and still had some lapses in this contest, but this is a guy who played three defensive snaps all of last season and was forced to played a lot in the opener. Thomas plays with high energy and demonstrated that this week.

Duds

Austin Seibert: Another controversial player, it feels like some fans are rooting against Seibert due to the franchise using a draft pick on him in 2019. This portion of the fan base is smiling today. Siebert missed an extra point and a 41-yard field goal and Twitter is on fire rooting for his exit.

Odell Beckham Jr.: I saw someone compare Beckham to Greg Little and I couldn’t help but laugh, but that is the perfect summary of what OBJ did on Sunday. The offense went from not including him into the plan to Baker Mayfield forcing every pass in his direction. Although some of that is not his fault, the awful drop on 3rd-and-2 will go down in history.

Baker Mayfield: Mayfield was forcing too many of his passes in the second half to OBJ and they were not wise choices. He looked frantic and inaccurate. Although I think that is fair for Week 1 with a shortened offseason, some fans are not as forgiving. Mayfield finished completing 21 of 39 attempts for 189 yards with only one touchdown and an interception.

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David Njoku excited to be ‘side by side’ and attacking defenses with Austin Hooper

Browns TE David Njoku is excited to be ‘side by side’ and attacking defenses with Austin Hooper in Cleveland’s two-TE set

It’s been a crazy offseason for Browns tight end David Njoku. Coming off an injury-ravaged season, Njoku is adapting to another coaching and front office change in Cleveland. When he changed representation earlier this summer, his new agent instantly demanded a trade out of town. He also just became a father.

Njoku has personally walked back the trade request. He got a chance to do it once again in a Zoom session before Tuesday’s practice session, and “Chief” reiterated he is fully bought into being the best Browns player he can be in 2020.

“I just think it’s in my best interest for the time being to stay here and do what I can to help the team,” Njoku said. He later followed with a definitive,

“Yes, I want to be here long-term.”

Njoku is also excited to work with new teammate Austin Hooper.

“He’s an awesome person,” Njoku said when asked about Hooper. “We’re excited to do this together side-by-side and attack this year.”

The two-TE attack is the base offense of new head coach Kevin Stefanski and there should be ample opportunity for both Hooper and Njoku to get a lot of catches.

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Andrew Berry on David Njoku: ‘I think he can have a fantastic year’

The Browns GM talked up Njoku’s value to the team once again

David Njoku will be a member of the Cleveland Browns for the 2020 NFL season. While the mercurial young tight end might not have always wanted it to be that way, the Browns organization has never wavered from wanting Njoku in the offense.

Browns GM Andrew Berry once again trumpeted the team’s high regard for Njoku in his Zoom press conference with reporters on Tuesday. When asked about Njoku’s recent decision to rescind his trade request, Berry laid out the big plans the team has for him and how well the player himself has handled the awkward exchange.

“I will not go into necessarily the specifics of the conversation that I had with David, but what I can tell you with David, really even since the spring and definitely since he has been back, he has been very engaged with our coaching staff and our performance staff,” Berry said. “He has shown up in terrific shape. I do think that there is an element with getting back around your teammates, your coaches and the excitement of training camp.

We have been very consistent that we think David can be a big part of where we are trying to go as a team this year and that we think he has an important role to play for this roster and for this team. We are looking forward to working with David. I think he can have a fantastic year.”

Berry speaks the truth in referring to the consistency at which he and head coach Kevin Stefanski have been bullish on Njoku’s potential in the new offense. It’s something Berry himself talked up during his press conference at the scouting combine in February and Stefanski has reiterated on multiple occasions.

Njoku withdrew his trade request last week. He made the initial request through his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, earlier this summer just hours after hiring Rosenhaus as his representation. The request contradicted Njoku’s own words from the winter and spring, where he enthused excitement about his own potential in Stefanski’s TE-friendly offense.

David Njoku rescinds his trade request from the Browns

The trade request earlier this summer came almost immediately after Njoku changed representation to Drew Rosenhaus

Browns tight end David Njoku has backed away from his request for the team to trade him prior to the 2020 NFL season.

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Njoku and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have rescinded their request with the Browns. Rapoport cites the positive talks between Njoku and new GM Andrew Berry and others on the team as the reason Rosenhaus, who was attributed by Rapoport, and Njoku have changed course.

The trade request earlier this summer came almost immediately after Njoku changed representation to Rosenhaus. Prior to that, Njoku was “ready to roll” under new head coach Kevin Stefanski in the Browns base two-TE offense. Stefanski also publicly praised the opportunity for Njoku to thrive in 2020 in Cleveland.

Njoku tweeted out his own commitment to being the best he can be in Cleveland.

The young TE still has two years remaining on his rookie contract. The Browns picked up the fifth-year option on his contract earlier this offseason.

David Njoku: ‘I love the city of Cleveland with all my heart’

Njoku wants Cleveland fans to know his trade request is not personal

David Njoku might want to get traded away from the Cleveland Browns, but the young tight end wants everyone to know it’s not personal.

In a Twitter post on Monday, Njoku offered up unsolicited love for the city of Cleveland and all it’s done for him in his three seasons with the Browns, Njoku explains his desire to get traded by stating, “This game is filled with a lot of complications”, before again reiterating his love and appreciation for Cleveland.

Njoku requested a trade earlier this summer almost immediately after changing representation to Drew Rosenhaus as his agent. Njoku has two seasons left on his rookie contract. The Browns have already exercised their fifth-year option, locking him up through the 2021 NFL season.

Listen: ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ talking Njoku trade, Vernon restructure and more

Listen: ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ talking Njoku trade, Vernon restructure and more

A new episode of  ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ is now available. Listen to show host Brad Ward (@WardonSports) as he talks Cleveland Browns football with the most influential personalities in the Cleveland sports landscape.

On this episode of ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ –

You can listen to all episodes of ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ podcast on multiple platforms, including iTunes, Spreaker, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Google Play, TuneIn, Radio.com, Pod Knife and Player FM.

‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ – Njoku trade?, Vernon restructure, 9 most complete NFL Teams and much more…

Listen: https://chtbl.com/track/DDGB4C/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/alleyezoncleveland/All_Eyez_on_Cleveland_Njoku_Trade_Vernon_Restructure_9_Most_Complete_NFL_Teams_and_much_more.mp3?stats-code=Camp

Listen( Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-eyez-on-cleveland-podcast/id1497838211#episodeGuid=05d8cfff-d185-4f19-9ed9-71b4d9b0f06d

Listen(Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/episode/214L8WfNX0zoN3HtsCMyDL?si=A8qmbSaZQUG1cFksTgOITg

Listen(Google Play): https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbGxleWV6b25jbGV2ZWxhbmQuY29tL3Jzcw%3D%3D&episode=MDVkOGNmZmYtZDE4NS00ZjE5LTllZDktNzFiNGQ5YjBmMDZk

Web Page: http://alleyezoncleveland.com/all-eyez-on-cleveland-njoku-trade-vernon-restructure-9-most-complete-nfl-teams-and-much-more

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What could the Browns get in return if they trade David Njoku?

A look at what the Cleveland Browns might expect in return for trading TE David Njoku

David Njoku wants to be traded. The Browns tight end has requested a trade via his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

The Browns are under no obligation to deal Njoku, who has two years left on his rookie contract. Cleveland picked up the fifth-year option on his contract earlier this offseason, and he’s being counted upon to be a productive part of new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s two-TE offense. Every indication is the team values Njoku’s ability to rebound from an injury-marred 2019 where he caught just five passes for 41 yards in four games.

But what could they get in return for Njoku?

The pie in the sky is what the Jaguars got in return for 2016 first-rounder Jalen Ramsey. The Rams sent Jacksonville first-round picks in 2020 and 2021 and a 4th-rounder in 2021 for the All-Pro defensive back. Alas, that’s a completely unrealistic pie.

For starters, Ramsey was an established star, one of the top young defenders in the NFL. Njoku in three seasons (36 career games) has produced what is an average year for Eagles TE Travis Kelce: 93 receptions, 1,066 yards, nine TDs. There is no comparison between the two other than wanting off the respective teams that drafted them in the first rounds.

Thinking the Browns would get anything close to that in return is delusional. A more realistic haul is what the Rams got in return for the player they shipped out to make room for Ramsey, CB Marcus Peters.

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The Ravens sent a 2020 5th-round draft pick and backup LB Kenny Young, a 4th-round pick in 2018 who played sparingly in Los Angeles after the trade, to get Peters. An enigmatic former first-rounder (2015, 18th overall), Peters’ prickly personality got him run out of Kansas City despite making the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons.

Peters thrived in Baltimore after the trade and earned All-Pro honors, notching two pick-6s in 10 games with the Ravens and leading the NFL in INT return yards.

Njoku has periodically flashed the potential to be an impact receiving talent at tight end, but he’s never put it all together with any consistency. Any team trading for him would be hoping for a Peters-like rise, but that’s not a given with Njoku.

Now consider why Njoku wants to be traded. He hired new agent Drew Rosenhaus to help him maximize his earning potential with the lucrative second contract. The Browns just invested the biggest free agent contract ever given to a tight end to Austin Hooper, so that well looks dry in Cleveland. The desire for a big payday for a relatively unproven player is a headache many teams simply won’t want.

That’s why I think the most realistic return is what the Seahawks got in return from the Steelers for a quick rental of tight end Nick Vannett last year. Desperate for healthy bodies, the Steelers dealt a 5th-round pick to Seattle for Vannett. He wound up catching 13 passes in 13 games for Pittsburgh, scoring four TDs.

Njoku could, and probably should, be significantly more productive than Vannett as a receiver. That’s why there will be a market. Just don’t expect it to be much more than a future 5th-round pick…if he’s even dealt at all in 2020.